Rural Reality: Terry Engelken

Terry Engelken, Vice President of Washington State Bank in Iowa, embraces the motto “Adversity creates opportunity.” Despite challenges in his Midwest community, largely driven by agriculture, Engelken remains optimistic. Hog producers are slowly recovering from financial difficulties as hog prices improve and grain costs decline. However, farmland values have shown mixed trends, with marginal lands increasing in price due to demand for hunting grounds, while medium-quality land has softened. Engelken contributes insights to Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index, which highlights pressures on farmers, such as falling equipment sales and squeezed incomes, despite excellent corn and soybean yields in the region. He hopes the incoming administration will address high energy costs and push for a new Farm Bill, both of which could alleviate pressures on agriculture. Reflecting on his experience, Engelken encourages his community to persevere, trusting that today’s difficulties can lead to tomorrow’s opportunities.